Experts feel that the recent move by the government to streamline security clearance for private-public-partnership (PPP) projects in the port sector may fast-track project implementation.
According to the new procedure for security clearance, the shipping ministry would share a list of companies or bidders for port projects with various ministries, including Home, Defence and External Affairs on a case-to-case basis.
Besides, it would also share the data with the Intelligence Bureau and Cabinet Secretariat. The security agencies will provide the inputs within 12 weeks and price bids will not be opened till security clearance is accorded.
The ministry will also separately prepare and circulate a list of all Indian and Foreign companies who normally bid for ports projects to the security agencies concerned. On receipt of the details, the security agencies will provide their inputs on such a list to the shipping ministry with 12 weeks, the ministry guideline says.
Once security clearance is accorded by the shipping ministry to a company from relevant ministries and departments, it will be valid for three years. Earlier companies need to get the clearance for each and every project, even if it happens to be in the same port.
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